EARTH SCIENCES

Company Attributes Rapid Revenue Growth to Strong Demand for its High-Bandwidth Storage Solutions: DataDirect Networks, (DDN) the data infrastructure provider for the most extreme, content-intensive environments in the world, today announced that it was ranked number 427 - an increase of 24 places - on Deloitte's 2008 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in North America. DDN was one of only 27 Los Angeles-based companies to make the list this year. Rankings are based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth over five years, from 2003-2007. DataDirect Networks grew 308-percent during this period fueled by strong demand for its Silicon Storage Architecture (S2A) data infrastructure platforms in the entertainment, Internet and high performance computing sectors. "It is a great privilege to be included in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 for the second consecutive year," said Alex Bouzari, CEO and Co-founder, DataDirect Networks. "Early on, we saw a fundamental shift in data creation patterns, away from structured data to a world of unstructured data where people communicate with videos and photos in real-time; a world where users generate content and become the producers, transcending their roles as merely consumers. Our success is based on our ability to meet the needs of customers in these content-rich areas as well as in other industries that benefit from extreme storage such as biotechnology and oil and gas exploration." "Each company on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 is an innovator with an exceptional five-year track record of growth," said Phil Asmundson, Deloitte LLP Vice Chairman and National Managing Partner for Technology, Media and Telecommunications. "DataDirect Networks has earned its position among the fastest growing companies in North America, and we are proud to honor this important accomplishment." Fast 500 Selection and Qualifying Criteria The Fast 500 ranks the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in North America. It is compiled from Deloitte's regional North American Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to the Fast 500, and public company database research. Companies are selected based on percentage revenue growth from 2003 to 2007. Entrants must own proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devote a significant proportion of revenues to research and development of technology. Using other companies' technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not qualify. Base-year operating revenues must be at least $50,000 USD or $75,000 CD, and current-year operating revenues must be at least $5 million USD or CD. Companies must be in business a minimum of five years, and they must be headquartered within North America.